By Brigitte L. Nacos
As I get ready to leave for a trip abroad, I am appalled by Senator John McCain’s latest disservice to the nation he claims to love. This is from an AP dispatch about the former presidential candidate’s appearance at a rally in support of Sharron Angle:
“McCain, the 2008 presidential nominee, told the crowd at a Las Vegas casino that the ‘election will change America. The world is watching.’
‘Sharron brings hope and Sharron brings action,’ he said after embracing the former Reno legislator on stage, with an oversized American flag draped behind them.
McCain's appearance was intended to bolster Angle's credibility, particularly with moderates…”
McCain can drape himself in all the flags he can find. He can talk all over again about his patriotism as member of the military and as prisoner of war. But nothing excuses the damage he has inflicted on his nation during the last several years in his desperate effort to win—first the presidency, now reelection in Arizona and a role in the pitiful tea part extremism of his party.
He actually deserves a starring role in the tea party’s campaign horror movie production because without his selection of Sarah Palin as running mate in 2008, there wouldn’t be a tea party movement with the influence it has gained among Republicans.
After all, Palin is not only the most influential figure in the tea party crowd but she has also made it perfectly fine for the most clueless and divisive men and women to throw their hats into the political arena and run for high offices.
McCain deserves to be indicted into the political hall of shame. If he gets his will as it seems likely to happen on Tuesday, the “election will change America,” indeed, as he said. But not for the better. Sharon Angle bringing hope and action? For whom and for what? Of course, McCain knows the truth.
He is right on one count: the world is watching. But mostly with disbelief or stunning Schadenfreude.
I try to convince myself that it may be easier to watch next week’s news from afar.
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